To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on (a) car hire, (b) air travel, (c) hotels and (d) restaurant meals for (i) Ministers and (ii) staff in his Department in each of the last five years. (289975)

Details of spending on travel and subsistence since 2003-04 is shown in the Treasury's Annual Report and Accounts (HC 611). A breakdown of those figures into the categories requested could not be achieved within the disproportionate costs threshold.

All travel undertaken by Ministers and civil servants is in accordance with the “Ministerial Code” and the “Civil Service Management Code” respectively. All spending on official entertainment is made in accordance with the principles set out in “Managing Public Money.”

The Government published a list of all overseas travel by Ministers costing over £500 on 16 July and this can be viewed at:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministers/travel_gifts.aspx